Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to tackle the practices of illegal and unlicensed gambling operators to ensure that consumers are supported from gambling harm.

The Government is acutely aware of the impact harmful gambling can have on individuals and their families, and is committed to strengthening protections for those at risk. We are also committed to working closely with the Gambling Commission to ensure that illegal gambling, in all its forms, is addressed.

As part of the 2025 Budget, the Treasury announced that the Gambling Commission will receive an additional £26 million across three years to increase investment, resources and capacity to tackle the illegal market. In addition, the Crime and Policing Act, which received Royal Assent in April 2026, enables the Commission to apply for new powers to obtain orders to suspend internet protocol addresses and internet domain names linked to illegal gambling.

We launched the Illegal Gambling Taskforce at the beginning of this year which brings together a wide range of stakeholders to take action against the illegal market. We are also consulting on banning physical manifestations of unlicensed gambling sponsorships and advertising in Great Britain across all sectors, including sport.